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The '''Obama Administration''' is the Executive Department portion of the U.S. government controlled by the [[progressive]] liberal, [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]  [[Presidents of the United States|President]] [[Barack Hussein Obama]]; it began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years.  [[File:Obama-poll.jpg|thumb|330px|Excitement for Obama was very high before people understood his plans; enthusiasm has plunged as criticism becomes sharper and strong opponents grow more numerous than strong supporters]] Shortly after taking office President Obama's popularity sagged, his party weakened and opportunities for celebrating achievements dissipated. Contentious town-hall meetings criticized the injustice of his health care proposals, [[Barack Obama and United States Unemployment|unemployment grew]], the stimulus did not stimulate, Democrats bickered more than usual, grim forecasts of failure came from his generals in Afghanistan. Accused of [[socialism]], he was branded in Congress as a liar. He was criticized first for not making his case, and then for overexposure, as he deliberately put into the shadows everyone in his cabinet.  Obama’s inexperience in domestic and foreign affairs worsened his troubles. Nothing worked right--he was embarrassed by winning the Nobel Peace Prize before any of his goals had been accomplished.

The '''Obama Administration''' is the Executive Department portion of the U.S. government controlled by the [[progressive]] liberal, [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]  [[Presidents of the United States|President]] [[Barack Hussein Obama]]; it began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years.  [[File:Obama-poll.jpg|thumb|330px|Excitement for Obama was very high before people understood his plans; enthusiasm has plunged as criticism becomes sharper and strong opponents grow more numerous than strong supporters]] Shortly after taking office President Obama's popularity sagged, his party weakened and opportunities for celebrating achievements dissipated. Contentious town-hall meetings criticized the injustice of his health care proposals, [[Barack Obama and United States Unemployment|unemployment grew]], the stimulus did not stimulate, Democrats bickered more than usual, grim forecasts of failure came from his generals in Afghanistan. Accused of [[socialism]], he was branded in Congress as a liar. He was criticized first for not making his case, and then for overexposure, as he deliberately put into the shadows everyone in his cabinet.  Obama’s inexperience in domestic and foreign affairs worsened his troubles. Nothing worked right--he was embarrassed by winning the Nobel Peace Prize before any of his goals had been accomplished.

At the one-year mark in Jan. 2010, a majority (54%) of voters believed the nation was on the wrong track.  Included among that 54% are nearly all Republicans (91%), a majority of Independents (61%) and one-in-five Democrats (18%).  Only 13% of Americans say Obama has done better than they expected, including just 27% of Democrats.<ref> See [http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1800 Zogby poll Jan. 20. 2010]</ref>

By the end of President Obama's first a majority (54%) of voters believed the nation was on the wrong track.  Included among that 54% are nearly all Republicans (91%), a majority of Independents (61%) and one-in-five Democrats (18%).  Only 13% of Americans say Obama has done better than they expected, including just 27% of Democrats.<ref> See [http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1800 Zogby poll Jan. 20. 2010]</ref>

Expectations of a Republican revival, a wild pipe-dream in the spring, became more realistic as the party won gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New  Jersey, and the Democrats continued in disarray in New York, Texas and California. Even more dramatic was the win by Republican [[Scott Brown]] of the Senate seat in Massachusetts, which became a referendum on Obama's policies.

A Republican revival took form as the party won gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New  Jersey, and the Democrats continued in disarray in New York, Texas and California. Even more dramatic was the win by Republican [[Scott Brown]] of the Senate seat held by the late [[Edward M. Kennedy]] in Massachusetts, which was widely interpreted as a referendum on Obama's policies.

Obama's "[[Recovery Summer]]" of 2010 provided further economic disappointment for Americans with rising unemployment numbers, [[GDP]] growth estimates revised downward and a further decline in Obama's job approval numbers.  However Obama was able to maintain a steady schedule of [[List of Obama First Family Vacations|vacations]], parties and weekend get-aways at [[Camp David]].

Obama's "[[Recovery Summer]]" of 2010 provided further economic disappointment for Americans with rising unemployment numbers, [[GDP]] growth estimates revised downward and a further decline in Obama's job approval numbers.  However Obama was able to maintain a steady schedule of [[List of Obama First Family Vacations|vacations]], parties and weekend get-aways at [[Camp David]].